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First full keyboard (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/ergomechkeyboards@lemmy.world
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Learned a lot, not completely satisfied with the turnout, but I'll have more ammo for the next build.

Nice!Nano V2 using ZMK firmware, BLE, and custom PCB made with ergogen, kicad, and purchased thru JLPCB. Going to print a case and learn the keyboard layout.

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[–] 5 points 3 years ago (2 children)

As someone from outside the ergonomic keyboard community that just came across this via /everything; I've always wondered how you work around the missing keys in a keyboard like this. Say, you want to type the name "Emmy". What key combination do you press for that, seeing as the e, m and y are missing

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  • [–] 8 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    The layout looks Colemak-ish, so I'd expect the E to be the key labeled 5 on the right half.

    Smaller keyboards like this use layers to reuse certain keys, rather than adding more. The idea is to minimize finger/hand/arm movement. Things like choosing a more efficient layout (QWERTY is actuality pretty bad in that regard), using home row mods (so the letter keys under your index fingers double as Shift when held, for example), and so on.

    It takes some getting used to, but it actually quickly becomes second nature.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago (2 children)

    Trading physical effort for mental effort.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago

    It's a different kind of effort, one that doesn't give you RSI or at least improves your situation. And as explained, that mental effort is temporary, it gets engrained in your muscle memory quite quick.

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